HM The King’s Birthday 2005

Above:December 4, 2005 - Placard with an image of the HM The King at the Royal Plaza. The equestrian stature of King Rama V and the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall (the old parliament building) is in the background.

HM The King's Birthday - December 5, 2005
HM The King's birthday is on December 5 (a national holiday). The King's annual address is on December 4. See last year's stories about what goes on during these days: 2004 - HM The King's birthday and 2004 - HM The King's annual addressA Royal 'delicacy'- The Nation, December 08, 2005Against the backdrop of the showdown between Thaksin and Sondhi, our revered King gave everyone a special treat. One political scientist calls it "art of the highest form". But whatever term is used to describe His Majesty the King's birthday speech -- we have heard everything from "simple" to "profound" -- there's no avoiding the fact that people are feeling the varying effects it generated...

King tells PM, accept criticism - Bangkok Post, December 5, 2005 ...He compared this to his Kam Ling (monkey's cheek) project that has proved successful.
" People were laughing when we first talked about Kam Ling, but not anymore. Because a monkey must have cheeks. Without cheeks, it can't survive. A man too must have cheeks, and they can be like those of the monkey,'' said the King.
As the monkey's cheeks could save water, a man's cheeks could save his words...

King calls for mindfulness and caution - TNA, December 4, 2004Evidencing the wisdom and mindfulness, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej used the occasion of his birthday to advise his Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, and the wider public.
The world's longest reigning monarch marks his 78th birthday on Monday.
In his customary birthday speech to the Thai public, the King clarified at length the statement that "the King can do no wrong."
"Whatever one does, one just has to be conscious of what one is thinking and doing, and thus trying not to make mistake... I myself have made mistakes a few times, because I have always been mindful.
Had I not been careful, I would have been dead. Such is the nature of politics, of being under the public spotlight and if we're not careful, those looks could kill."
The King thanked the Prime Minister for his birthday wishes. His Majesty said his praise for the Prime Minister's speech may not be shared by all but it's only human nature to be fond of praise and to dislike criticism. He reiterated the fact that one has to be careful about what one says and does.
The King said he occasionally criticised people, and sometimes his criticism was magnified out of proportion in press reports, much to their apprehension. In fact, he said, he hardly ever been critical of anyone.
"But the truth is the more exposed one is to the public scrutiny, the easier one becomes the target of criticism. And it could be damaging to the public sometimes if one doesn't appreciate those points of criticism," said the King.

Also:Dads and their children can ride the Skytrain for free on Monday in celebration of His Majesty the King's birthday and Father's Day.
Skytrain operator Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) said the free rides would be offered from 6am until midnight... (Free Skytrain Rides - The Nation, December 2, 2005)